Jury: Bruno guilty on 2 counts

Ex-Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno briefly speaks to reporters after a federal jury convicted him of two charges.

Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno was convicted of federal corruption today for exploiting his political office to enrich himself through side “consultant” work that conflicted with his role as one of the most powerful men in New York state government.

The 80-year-old Republican from Brunswick sat quietly as the jury of seven women and five men rendered its verdict about 4:15 p.m.: Guilty on two counts of mail and wire fraud.

The verdict followed nearly seven full days and some 55 hours of deliberations, which began Nov. 24, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. The jury broke five days over the holiday break and resumed their deliberations all last week and today.

Bruno faces possible sentences that ranged from fines and restitution to time in prison. He also could be placed on supervised release or home confinement when sentenced on March 31.

Bruno, acquitted of five counts, was found guilty in connection with 11 payments he received from companies controlled by Loudonville businessman Jared Abbruzzese.

Ex-Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno is driven away after a federal jury convicted him of two charges

The jury found Bruno did not perform legitimate work for the Abbruzzese companies — and that the payments were, in effect, gifts.

He was also convicted of failing to disclose his participation in a partnership with Abbruzzese that involved thoroughbred race horses.

“It goes without saying that I’m very, very disappointed in the verdict that I just heard and the legal process is going to continue,” Bruno told reporters outside the James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse on Broadway.

“And in my mind and in my heart,” Bruno added, “ it is not over until it’s over. And I think it’s far from over.”

He then wished reporters a good night and holiday before walking off with his son, Kenneth Bruno, and spokesman Kris Thompson.

They entered a black car and sped off from State Street.

The jury reached a verdict after asking for several “read-backs” last week– re-hearing of testimony — from a number of witnesses. They included Abbruzzese, former Senate counsel Francis Gluchowski and former Senate counsel Francis “Tim” Collins, now a Court of Claims judge in Saratoga County.

But the verdict immediately marked the downfall of a storied political career for a man who rose from poverty to become a successful businessman and state senator so renown, the local minor league stadium in Troy — “The Joe” — bore his name.

Ultimately, the silver-haired Bruno would spend more than 13 years leading of what had long been a GOP-controlled Senate.

That position made Bruno one of the three most powerful men in state government alongside former Gov. George Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan.

The charismatic and talkative Bruno, a Korean War veteran and one-time boxer, provided a stark contrast to the governor and speaker, both lawyers often more reserved in their public appearances.

Much to the chagrin of editorial board and so-called good government groups, the trio made the state’s most important decisions — such as negotiating the state budget — behind closed doors.

But prosecutors said Bruno’s secrecy did not end there.

The FBI started investigated him in December 2005 after learning of flights Bruno took in a private jet from Schenectady to LaGuardia Airport in Queens, flights chartered by Abbruzzese. It was set up for Bruno after he could not secure a state-owned helicopter amid a feud with Pataki.

Abbruzzese would eventually be linked to four of the eight “honest services” counts against Bruno, two of which were the guity counts.

The businessman paid Bruno $20,000 a month to be a consultant at Abbruzzese-backed companies starting in early 2004.

Over three weeks of testimony, federal prosecutors questioned what work Bruno did to justify earning such money from Abbruzzese. They produced evidence to show others at the corporations questioned what Bruno did.

Bruno initially worked for Abbruzzese at two companies, Communication Technology Advisors and Capital & Technology Advisors. He later worked for the Motient Corp. and TerreStar.

When the employment dollars ceased because the consultant arrangement stopped, Abbruzzese paid Bruno $80,000 for a horse considered all but worthless, a transaction the prosecution equated to money laundering.

In testimony on Nov. 20, a combative and often colorful Abbruzzese admitted he bought the horse to fulfill a moral obligation — but defended having Bruno on his payroll.

Abbruzzese noted the senator appeared at swanky dinners in New York City as a consultant and introduced Abbruzzese to celebrities — including Donald Trump — to help him with possible development of golf courses in Florida.

Prosecutors had another view: that Bruno’s employment with Abbruzzese was nothing but an influence-peddling scheme, and that the senator was effectively being paid gifts.

They noted Abbruzzeze had helped found the Troy-based Evident Technologies, which was earlier approved for $500,000 in state grants through Bruno.

Assistant U.S. Attorney William Pericak, who prosecuted the trial with Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Coombe, told jurors Bruno reaped $440,000 from Abbruzzese’s companies — part of more than $3.1 money made as part of his alleged scheme.

Consultant work also reaped Bruno $1.3 million from Wright Investors’ Services in Milford, Conn., whose clients included unions that had business before New York state.

Bruno’s solicitation of the unions while working for Wright was a conflict of interest, prosecutors said. To justify the work, Bruno’s defense said he relied on a 1993 opinion from the Legislative Ethics Commission. It had cleared Bruno to work for the Albany-based McGinn-Smith and Co. which paid Bruno $632,000.

But prosecutors said Bruno never fully disclosed the depth of what he was doing, that he was approaching unions with matters before the Legislature.

Bruno was acquitted of honest services fraud in connection with his work for Wright, as well as McGinn-Smith and other work for Manhattan businessman Russell Ball, which earned Bruno $270,000.

And jurors also found no guilt with an alleged “oral understanding” Bruno had to make 10 percent from the Memphis, Tenn.-based Asentinel, which made a presentation to state government in Albany.

The jury could reach no verdict on a count involving the $468,000 Bruno made working for companies run by Westchester businessman Leonard Fassler.

The next stage for Bruno is an asset forfeiture proceeding in connection with the guilty verdict.

I remember Mr. Bruno for all the good things he did for upstate NY and his constituents. Let’s hope the court takes into account his lifetime of good works and services to the people of New York at the sentencing phase. The TU editorial board is always quick to throw the first stone…hopefully the judge will have more compassion!

Senator Bruno….in my heart I believe your intent was to only serve the people of this State…I have watched you over the years…and I am so sadden by this result. I invite you to come to my church, and let us pray for and with you. In this time and age, Christians are at war with the unseen..You must not retreat (1 Timothy 1:18) and trust God through this Hebrews 14:14 Psalm 118:8. Don’t be angry with the prosecuters..they only work with what they have. I have seen the ugliness -the jealousy -in politics can do…don’t concern yourself with that…put this in God’s hands and utilize the tools to be free..truth will always win..you’ll see!

#2 I’ll second that. Joe did a lot for Albany now we are in trouble and the money is going downstate . It was a witch hunt thats all
Good Luck Joe I hope all works out well for you and thanks for all you have done for us over the years.

guilty on 2 counts guilty is better than an acquittal. I hope he gets time and not just a wrist-slap sentence. State government needs an overhaul. There are too many crooks in the chambers who are there for their own personal gain – and not there to serve in the best interest of the State. Unfortunately, voters have no one to blame but themselves – and no one can fix it but us.

I have been following this trial very closely and to someone viewing it from outside of the courtroom, it certainly appeared Bruno was guilty of all charges and was also guilty of a good number of other crimes that the Feds did not or could not charge him with. I hope the Albany or Rensselaer District Attorneys or other D.A.s who may have standing will pursue Bruno with additional charges regarding behavior revealed by this trial.

No matter how much Bruno may have been helpful in bringing pork and largess to the Capital Region and his personal cronies, it is clear that he is a self serving bad man, who has earned additional prosecution for additional state and federal laws that he violated. Plus, prosecutors need to look closely at Bruno’s accomplices on his Senate staff and within Rensselaer and Saratoga Counties. There are more guilty than just Joe Bruno.

I did nothing wrong!!!! When your attorney is telling you not to mail in your disclosure forms because it could be considered mail fraud should have sent a red flag to someone(Right Joe) No one had the guts to tell Joe. Joe was the king of the kingdom and his staff was stealing from him and his state attorneys threw him under the bus.

Ethics reform is on its way in the Capital. It’s about time. Joe Bruno did alot for the area but it shows not even he is above the law.

Funny how after 2 guilty verdicts he merely just drives away in a black sedan. The only sedan most everybody else would be driving off in would have a siren on its roof. Just incredible. And of course he’ll die appealing it. Hopefully broke!

It’s a lot of money spent on a relatively minor crime. From what we have been reading. We can’t condone it but the money and effort spent to prosecute this case could have been better used.

His political career was over just the publicity is probably spoiled any informed he would’ve had political. So the millions that were spent on the investigation and trial are not bringing a meaningful return on investment. (Pun not intended)

The State Capital is a disgusting sewer and Bruno is just one in the mischief of filthy rats that proliferate there. I’m sure Joe saw what all the other boys were getting on the side and he wanted his cut of the pie; “Easy shaving for a penny, as good as you will find any.” In addition to the Federal investigations of the hundreds of other players (can you say Shelly Silver?), prosecutors need to look at the deals made between Democrats and Republicans allowing Bruno to run unopposed in several elections. As a disgusted member of New York State’s 43rd Senatorial district I didn’t pull the level when Joe ran unopposed. The whole business is rotten to the core you can smell the stench from the Capital up here in Grafton and that’s even when the air is calm.

The senate and Assembly leaders are no different. Go after all of them, Gov. Patterson included. That’s how things are done in government, Pay For Play! This state really needs term limits to stop this nonsense. People become to powerful and feel they are entitled, above the law.

Sad, sad day for this area. The NYC fat cats must be dancing with glee. So must the staff of the Times Union. Your editorial bias in this has been obvious from the start. You are most certainly your parent’s child. One can only hope an appeals court will overturn these convictions, due to the judge’s thoroughly reprehensible and blatantly biased diatribe.

Bruno was found guilty in connection with 11 payments he received from companies controlled by Jared Abbruzzese.

Once again a light has been shone on the sleaze that has surrounded New York thoroughbred racing. Jared Abbruzzese was a founder of Empire Racing, one of the bidders for the New York thoroughbred racing franchise to run racing at Saratoga, Belmont Park and Aqueduct. Empire Racing subsequently morphed into SL Green after the NYRA won another 25 year to run racing at those racetracks.

SL Green is now one of the favorite bidders for the lucrative Aqueduct Casino.

Governor Paterson, Speaker Silver and Senator Sampson, it is time for you to choose a VLT operator who is without connection to the Abbruzzese/SL Green sleaze.

He should be required to return the salary, pension and benefits he has been given by the people of New York whose trust and best interests he was supposed to be protecting but obviously wasn’t. And yes they should look at all elected officials and their children for conflicts and prosecute them too. Just more proof for the need for term limits.

A fair verdict in my view. Unfortunately, this will probably be overturned at appeal.
“Our Joe” was part of the statewide problem. Open your eyes to the truth why NYers are leaving this state in droves. Tax and spend, year after year. Bloated government. And the legislature is 100% corrupt.

I’m so disgusted by comments from anyone about “oh, but he did so much good for the state.” That attitude is exactly why this state is loaded with political corruption, good old boys clubs, and politicians getting rich off the backs of taxpayers. Wake up! Stop looking the other way, re-electing over and over again these political rapists, and accepting this antiquated business as usual mentality. Our state is so outdated in its political management, spending, and practices, and it all borders on — if not crosses — illegal administration. What’s wrong with the citizens of this state in that they will continue to elect (and re-elect) politicians that get richer and richer through questionable governmental practices while the very citizens they are to “serve” are losing their homes due to outlandish taxes and jobs due to record high unemployment. Bruno raped the citizens of this state and will be lucky to get a slap on the wrist. Those of you commending the crook disgust me and are the very reason New York will never improve, as you’re willing to accept this behavior from your politicians. Shame on you, as you’re part of this disfunctional culture that is slowly — but surely — making this state the laughing stock of this nation.

Dear Jonny Quest: As a former staff member of Senator Bruno, please note that because Pat Stackrow stole does NOT mean the rest of his staff did! Watch your words carefully as there are a lot of honest people who worked for him. To Senator Bruno, I am sorry and hope you can enjoy the retirement you worked so hard for.

Dear Jonny Quest: As a former staff member of Senator Bruno, please note that because Pat Stackrow stole does NOT mean the rest of his staff did! Watch your words carefully as there are a lot of honest people who worked for him. To Senator Bruno, I am sorry and hope you can enjoy the retirement you worked so hard for.

This is a game of not following standards that are defined in federal regulation for the acceptance of “campaign funds”; most likely due to the fact that someone didn’t want to leave an irrefutable paper trail………..that said; I agree with #1.

Bruno is out. What are we doing to make sure this isn’t happening right now?

Somewhere Mike Lisuzzo is having a drink of the sweet taste of vindication. For years he fought against the corruption in his own party in his own county and they threw him out on his arse because of it. Now he has been proven right. Have a drink on me, Mike, and sleep well. No one in the Clifton Park or Saratoga GOP will ever admit it, but you were right all along. Good for you!

I think Joe Bruno has done a lot for New York State and deserves to go free. The man is 80 years old and does not have much time to live. Do you want to put an 80 year old man in federal prison; not me. There are a lot of corupt politicians; unfortunately Joe got caught.

There are far more problems in the world to deal with than Joe Bruno; like the war overseas; H1N1 virus that is killing children; the ecomony; and the health care issue.

It’s about time someone recognized what Joe and Abruzzese were up to: Joe gives him a $500K state grant, then Jared proceeds to pay it back to Joe, $440K in total. Pretty clear to me! “I’ve done nothing wrong! I’m a businessman!” You fooled no one, Uncle Joe.

“I think Joe Bruno has done a lot for New York State and deserves to go free. The man is 80 years old and does not have much time to live. Do you want to put an 80 year old man in federal prison; not me”

Why are you Soft on Criminals?

If Joe Bruno didn’t want to go to Federal PMITA Prison,
he shouldn’t have committed Mail and Wire Fraud.

The best thing that can come from all of this is an overhaul of the entire political system. Part time legislators are ripe for corruption. Make them full time or make very clear rules about who they can and cannot do business with. Take a look at the Ethics procuedures and make sure they have an oversight system to be sure they are not vulnerable to “looking the other way”.

Sad to say, but this is necessary. Bruno only got caught on a small amount of what he was actually guilty of. There are other examples that never came to the attention of the Feds that were clearly “hush hush”. (He will probably be the last to deny it because he wouldn’t want more to come to light.)It is also sad that he is the poster boy for it all when so many politicans have been peddling their influence for a long time and it was accepted as part of the “way things are done”. Mr. Bruno did a lot of good for our area. Too bad it wasn’t enough for him. Feeling sorry for him? He didn’t feel sorry for us when he was making decision based on his own pocketbook rather than yours and mine.

Hey Boomer, don’t forget, McEneny is living off TWO salaries. He is double dipping, taking home a pension for his political service AND a salary for the same service. “I do nothing illegal” is his reply. People will be laid off soon because of this immoral scheme

For Empire Racing fans, it was able to survive the connection of Bernie Madoff to Empire hotshot Jeffrey Tucker. The next question is will it survive the connection of Bruno to Empire hotshot Jared Abbruzzese.

I think Joe Bruno has done a lot for upstate NY, and he deserves to go to jail for every bit of it. The man is 80 years old and can die in prison like any other OLD inmate. Yes, I want to put an OLD crook in a federal pen. There are a lot of corrupt politicians and thankfully Joe got caught.

I grew up in the area, lived in Washington DC and then relocated to CT. The fact is that he was convicted of crimes. He IS a criminal. Most convicts proclaim they are disappointed and that they are innocent. He is acting the same way.

Joe Bruno should not be compared to those who are corrupt and not prosecuted. He should be compared to those who are dishonest who happened to be prosecuted. He is dishonest and corrupt.

Once he serves his time or pays his fines, it should be forgotten. In the meantime, he is not different than DC or CT people convicted. He is a human being who is a failure in the final analysis. Too bad.

No State worker would ever think to be as arrogant or brazen as Mr Bruno regarding completing NYS Ethics forms. A former Supervisor in Rotterdam got 1-2 years jail time several years ago for much, much less than what Mr Bruno did. To enrich oneself by millions and not see the conflicts in interest is amazing. Like many members of the Legislature, Mr Bruno seems to have lost touch with reality.

The Bruno apologists don’t get it. He threw the locals a bone now and again, and they paid for their bone with their own tax money all while Joe satisfied his edifice complex and simultaneously pocketing $3M plus as a “business man”.

The trial is finally over the defendant has been found guilty of at least partial participation in what he was charged for.
I am sure his political influence is over.
He is 80 years old. Do people think of putting him in jail will d him from future crime? He is in disgrace. He will just sort of fade from sight. Put them on probation and let’s get on with life. Hopefully others will learn from this. A lot of money was spent by the government for this. I hope it is worth it.

We all know the media. . . at least those of us who follow and intellectually interpret the media-manipulated truth . . . we all should know there is more behind this story than what is reported by the print and audio media. Afterall, they are part of the corrupt problem, right?

We all have known for years and years and even decades that JBruno has been one of the most corrupt and arrogant politicians not only in New York State, but in these whole United States. He is the “poster child” of corrupt politicians. Personally, he disgusts me beyond words.

So, let us applaud the jury for working through the complex testimony and for delivering its verdict. Two counts is better than acquitting him altogether.

Let us pray and pray and pray that the judge will take even those two convictions and issue the most severe, and not the least, punishment. “Bruno the Thug” should NOT enjoy house arrest or some mild “community service” sentence, but what WE the average, non-crime-gang-thug would get: prison time!

New York State government is the embarrassment of the whole Nation! Monserrate and Silver and all of them should have been voted out, if not proscecuted. With Bruno, here we had a chance to make it right. He deserves nothing less than to serve the rest of his arrogant life in prison. For the good of the people.

Let us pray for justice (a joke in New York State, but nevertheless still a hope.)

New York has always been one of the highest taxed states in the U.S., but it use to be that compared to the rest of the country it also had some of the best and most visionary, politicians and businessmen. They made all those taxes do some good. I don’t know where we went wrong as a State, but stinking sleaze-balls like Bruno were the ones in charge when the sewers backed up. While he was part of the ruling triumvirate he spent more time stealing our money than he did trying to make things better. I will give him some credit for keeping things from going completely to hell in the capital district, but he did have to keep getting elected now didn’t he? I don’t think most people in the capital district realize how bad things are in most of the rest of upstate. If you want to see how far upstate has sunk take a long weekend and drive to the following cities: Newburgh, Kingston, Schenectady, Amsterdam, Rome, Utica, Binghamton, Elmira, Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse. These use to be vibrant, prosperous cities and nice places to live. Now they’re cesspools of empty factories, abandoned neighborhoods, crime, and despair. If Bruno wants to redeem himself he should help the prosecutors put some more of these crooked politicians in jail. I’m sure he knows where a lot of bodies are buried.

Capital District Guy –Good Point when you say “When will prosecutors pursue charges against Alan Hevesi for stealing from NY State citizens and Elliot Spitzer for money laundering?”. How about this-if Senator Bruno took money illegally, then what crime did the person who paid the money commit? This bribe/power thing cannot be a one way street–if one person takes a hit then so should the other side.

How about the former OGS Commissioner who retires from state service then takes over the government run Albany Airport, then goes back to state government?

Capital District Guy is very on target–Hevesi and Spitzer clearly did some stuff that was blatantly illegal and what happened to them?
How about the boss of the guy who did nothing for NYS but look out the window and get $90000 for it? Why is he/she not on trial. It never ends but it has to.

Dam#$t!
We need to get them all–every last one of them.

Why are there ‘consultants’ in NYS Government Offices? Why do we need lobbyists?

If they knew this stuff was going on why did they let it go until this late in the game?

Each and every one of them needs to go and tomorrow would be too long to wait!
Funny, but at least Joe Bruno talked to and with people–the others did and can not. My skin crawls when I hear Spker Silver talk and he gets voted in over and over again.

Why is ‘Albany Mayor Jerry Jennings” name allowed to be printed on every City Vehicle, in every city publication and in city advertising? Why not just ‘Mayor Jennings’? There must be more than an election in it. To be sure, they all have to go!!

leave the poor guy alone, hes 80,,,,, if he was your gpa and he just bought u a 500,000 house in florida, or dyken pond,,, u would be defending him also, god bless ken and joe jr,,,,,, u can visit pops in jail,,,,,, oh and your grandchildrens poppa, a super hero, is now a convicted felon, welcome to dyken pond

Consulting…
con·sult (kn-slt)
v. con·sult·ed, con·sult·ing, con·sults
v.tr.
1.
a. To seek advice or information of: consult an attorney.
b. To refer to: consulted a telephone directory for the number.
2. To take into account; consider: consult one’s checkbook before making a major purchase.
v.intr.
1. To exchange views; confer.
2. To work or serve as a consultant: a retired executive who consults for several large companies.
n. (kn-slt, knslt)
A consultation, especially one involving physicians.

Bruno gave advice and/or exchanged views…Please!!! How is that a crime???

For all the good “Joe” did for the Capital Region, his hordes of friends don’t seem to give a rat’s rear end HOW he did it.

Bruno lived by his own laws, and the swaggering contempt which he displayed for the law which he was sworn to serve throughout his career, even while he was on trial (so arrogant he thought he could hijack federal court proceedings with no more than open mouth) finally turned and bit him.

While it’s for sure that a federal investigation would find similar dirt on all current senators and their recent predecessors, none invited it like Bruno. Even violent freaks like Monserrate (er, is that pronounced Monster Rat) know when it’s time to shut up and cut the swagger, while Bruno kept running his mouth as if he were a king. Even without public, and liberal use of the “F word”, it’s hard not to compare the arrogance, and utter narcissism in his personality to Tony Soprano.

Bruno’s sleazy fingerprints were apparently everywhere, spinning influence into gold at every opportunity. The arrogance and greed of this loser is stunning. The media did too little investigative reporting over the years, cozying up to Bruno at every opportunity.

For all the good “Joe” did for the Capital Region, his hordes of friends don’t seem to give a rat’s rear end HOW he did it.

Bruno lived by his own laws, and the swaggering contempt which he displayed for the law which he was sworn to serve throughout his career, even while he was on trial (so arrogant he thought he could hijack federal court proceedings with no more than open mouth) finally turned and bit him.

While it’s for sure that a federal investigation would find similar dirt on all current senators and their recent predecessors, none invited it like Bruno. Even violent freaks like Monserrate (er, is that pronounced Monster Rat) know when it’s time to shut up and cut the swagger, while Bruno kept running his mouth as if he were a king.

Even without public, and liberal use of the “F word”, it’s hard not to compare the arrogance, and utter narcissism in his personality to that of Tony Soprano, or any notorious thug. It is specifically that attitude, with subtext in every exchange he’s had with the media reading “*** you, I can do whatever I want to” which should be an embarrassment to all Capital Region residents. What I love most about the Capital Region is that most people here are generally nice, sensitive people, and much unlike the sort of character which you would most likely expect to emerge from Long Island or the Bronx – but then again, I never spent much time in Troy.

Political corruption happens because the electorate fails in its’ duty to be “EVER VIGILANT”. Joe Bruno and every other self-serving jackal currently stalking the halls of govt are a product of our (mine and yours) collective amnesia for current events and a mind-boggling willingness to tolerate corruption, as long as it’s done discreetly.
We have the govt we deserve. Don’t like it ? What are we doing to change it, besides typing impotent screeds ?

Carly’s mom – it’s a crime because he was selling information, access and influence he could only acquire through his role as Senator/Senate Majority Leader. And that’s illegal. At least until he’s out of office. THEN it’s lobbying…..

The guy is “scum” and should be treated as such. He belongs in Sing Sing, but being a politician, he will probably never see the inside of a cell. When his sentencing comes up he will probably appear in a wheelchair, looking “frail”, with all kinds of “experts” to testify about his “health issues” and how jail would put his life in jeopardy.
It is about time that politicians are treated the same as all other criminals. Let’s clean out Albany and Washington! ALL INCUMBENTS OUT!!!

#26, it’s even worse…there are bronze busts of joe’s head at the airport, the Art&History museum, and probabably at the baseball stadium.

The big politicians always act like it’s their money thats paying for these things, that they are the benefactors and the grovelling masses should put their names on the edifices that they ‘paid’ for and be treated like Ceaser.

Hubris and greed…a story as old as the Cesars. Joe is far from the only bad apple in ALB, but it’s nice when one of them gets flopped out naked into the sunlight.

I think Joe did more for himself than he ever did for the tax payers.If we ever knew the WHOLE story he would be in alot more trouble.But don’t worry he’ll be cleared as there are different laws for the rich(as long as hard working people contribute MORE $ to Joe’s
defense)

Sad day for New York State. I always admired Joe Bruno,he did serve his county in the Korean War,and he has done some good. Joe is human like all of us,lighten up..don’t be so quick to condemn him. We all have our own dark side. Joe has a family too,remember this when you make a comment. At least give him a chance to appeal the jury decision. There have been many times a convection has been over-ruled,and there have many people found guilty, later have been found to be innocent….

as woody guthrie wrote:
some will rob you with a six gun some will do it with a fountain pen..
and now mr bruno is going to look for loop holes for the appeals..it was looking for loopholes that got him in trouble to begin with…

as woody guthrie wrote: some are going to rob you with a six gun some will do it with a fountain pen…and now mr bruno is going to look for loopholes for appeals…its was looking for loopholes that got him in trouble to begin with…

Could you please remove my comment I made earlier – it is not that I want it down but when you google my name the comment for me number 46 does not come up but the comment for person 47 does and I have no intention of writing things like the person at number 47. My comment is logical. thanks Paul Benequista.

Our elected officials continue to put themselves above the law. This is a clear message that it is not appropriate. He did wrong, he deserves punishment and that punishment should be consistent with what others have received – no leniency because he is older, or did a lot of good for the area. I expect he will receive a slap on the wrist which will do nothing to deter this from continuing to happen. I continue to wonder why, if he was so squeaky clean, did his daughter get basically a highly compensated no show job using credentials that could not be verified, and his son have a lavishly furnished office and a state job in Saratoga Springs paid for by the taxpayers? When these issues surfaced in the media, suddenly the son and daughter left their jobs. Everything he touches stinks. If you were not someone who could do something for him, you would not gain access. Term limits are so necessary – career politicians have to go.

Joe Bruno threw the locals a bone now and again and they paid for their bone with their own tax money all while Joe satisfied his edifice complex and simultaneously pocketing $3M plus as a “business man”. Comment by Lewis #50

Was the trial worth it for the amount of money spent? “YES”

It should start with Bruno and show that no matter how much it cost the Federal Government, They will prosecute ANY criminal that breaks the law!!!

Even if the trial cost more than the crime.

It’s called SENDING A MESSAGE!!!

I agree with Bill Balyszak comment # 6 Time for a change – a BIG change – and that can only happen if WE the voters, clean house in Albany by voting EVERY incumbent out of office. Does it really matter what party he or she belongs to?

Bruno never spent a dime of his own money to help anyone or any community in the capital district. He used my taxes and yours ingratiate himself with a voting public that failed to look beyone the obvious thoughout his entire career. Meanwhile he enriched himself and his family at the public’s expense. Shame, shame shame!
You deserve to go to jail Mr. Bruno.

Somewhere Eliot Spitzer is having a great laugh over Uncle Joe’s misfortune.

Are work crews currently sandblasting Joe’s name off the Valley Cats stadium at HVCC?

When will the media begin referring to Bruno as “disgraced former Senate Majority Leader”?

I honestly feel the jury was completely turned off by the disgusting arrogance of Abbruzzese. To think the most powerful man in the NYS Senate was chumming around with this dirtbag was probably very damaging to the defense. Anyone who has seen this morons behavior in public knows exactly what I am talking about!

One of the funniest things in the trial was the $15,000 Fassler gave to Bruno to invest in Route Master. Joe lamented that he didn’t have the money, so he doctored up an invoice and Fassler gave him the $15,000 to invest. The very next piece of evidence was a check from Bruno to Route Master for $10,000!! Uncle Joe pocketed $5,000-lol!! You gotta love Joe, cries poverty-then sticks his “friend” for 5k.

When is the IRS gonna knock on Joe’s door? The jury has found that the $440,000 from Abbruzzese was in essence a “gift”, if so, there are SIGNIFICANT errors on Joe’s tax returns. These tax returns were sent via US Mail and we know where that train is headed.

Abbruzzese admitted that he gave Bruno $40,000 cash at the Saratoga Race Course and then gave him an additional $40,000 in debt forgiveness. Is it scary that the leader of the NYS Senate has a $40,000 debt to the likes of Abbruzzese? Joe must have had a bad couple of weeks at the track.

Let’s stop all the rhetoric about how much good Joe Bruno has done for the area. That thought process is about as intelligent as the residents of Howard Beach, who always talk about how much good the Gotti’s have done for their neighborhood. They talk about how the Gotti’s are hardworking people that have a right to earn a living and how the government is on a “witch hunt”. Sound familiar?

Joe brought a lot of money to the Capital Region-thats what all 30 year incumbents do for their districts. Joe also spent 32 years on the public dime, enriched himself, his friends, his family and shook down everyone in his path.

Finally, You just had a 6 week p*#sing match with the Federal Judge that now will determine how you spend your final years. The sighs, the quips, the dirty looks, the daily press conferences, the constant bashing of the prosecution and the arrogance you displayed in his courtroom over the last month MIGHT have been a monumental mistake. I’m sure the “joke” of this law and your prosecution has become unfunny very quickly.

He should have been prosecuted 20 years ago while he was still active.
Then maybe he would have gone to jail when he was 60 like he deserved.
Yes it’s a shame, but it was his own doing. This cronyism at its best.

To all you people saying that Bruno should have been acquitted just because he did good things for the area – I hope you never complain about the way things are done in state government because you are the ones encouraging it. As to #7s comments – have you ever thought about getting professional help? You need it.

If an honest senator had been representing us, he or she also could have brought home the bacon. For some of his supporters,in effect he has bribed the public, with their own tax money, to overlook his conviction.

The baseball stadium at HVCC should not bear the name of a felon. It doesn’t matter whether the crime was violent or white collar. The people whom he did a disservice to was the NY taxpayers, for those interested in praising the man I beg of you to wake up. Your train of thought will only perpetuate this culture in Albany and Washington.
To say he should have been acquitted or he should be given leniency because “he has done so much for this area” is like saying and individual who gives much to charity should be excused for committing crimes. Bruno and other lifetime politicians make me sick. It is time to expose them all, with crooked Joe down it’s onto the next politician. I can only hope that it is Sheldon Silver.

Hey Jared, Maybe you’re next. I don’t know what the charge will be, maybe bribes. Joe was convicted because of his relationship with you. You acted like a Dirt Bag on the stand. Arrogant Jerk.

You took all the share holders of CAI Wireless for a ride. When it went belly up you “SOLD” the rights for a million bucks. Share holders Nada. Jared 1,000,000! Oh and they said it was all legal. So you’re good to go. Then you start up a new telephone company and you get Poor Old Joe to use taxpayers money to help fund it. Joe never knew what hit him. Did I mention you’re act like a Dirt Bag.

Any attorneys out there that can think of a crime committed by good old Jared? It’s just too bad, that in your case, acting like a Dirt Bag is not a criminal charge.

In my opinion, after reading and following the trial/court transcripts he was guilty of all counts. The problem with the prosecutors case against Mr. Bruno was with the false image (honorable man who great things for upstate NY) that Mr. Bruno and others promoted for so many years. Mr. Bruno clearly self enriched himself and others and notably the courts record reveals that Mr. Bruno had senate staff/attorneys work for his private companies at taxpayers expenses. Notably,the jury foreperson stated to the times union it was hard to convict a man who did so much for this area and he is an “Honorable Man” She was clearly fooled.

In any event, the real/next story the Times Union is how and why some of these Attorneys/Judge came into federal court and testified that they advised Mr. Bruno to break the law as it pertains to the full disclosure laws to the ethics committees = in regard to his private employment and employers – as required by State law?

Simply stated, it was an ilegal conspiracy by these lawyers/judge and their overt acts testifying in federal court that they advised Mr. Bruno that he did not have to fully disclose all information of his private work while working in the Senate to the ethics committe was a crime as it was crime then. This was clearly scheme and plan by Mr. Bruno and his cohorts and they should be all prosecuted by the prosecutors immediately. It’s all on the courts record now!

Simply stated, it was another one of Mr. Bruno’s scheme and plan through his attorneys which gave the jury reasonable doubt as his to his intent to defraud New Yorker’s of his “Honest Services” which gave rise to and resulted in five not guilty verdicts and one deadlock verdict. Joe really won this trial in my opinion as again he conned the system/people/jury through his legal team as he has been doing for decades.

I hope the prosecutors/feds wake up and smell the coffee and really start doing their jobs for us taxpayers who pay their salary. They can start by arresting these crooks/politicians/attorneys/judge who came into a federal courtroom and gave Mr. Bruno reasonable doubt by law due to their unethical illegal advice to Mr. Bruno to break the law = which gave rise to five not guilty verdicts and one deadlock verdict = corruption in the courts! Imagine what they get away with corruption in the courts on county/state level Mr. Cuomo?

Mr. Joe Bruno your legal team did real good for you and you should throw them a christmas bonus out of all the money you have robbed us taxpayers over the years. I am sure you, your family, and friends can afford it (“Lawyers for Bruno”)

Abbruzesse got immunity, stafford (CMA) fired bruno and all the other rats are scurrying for cover. Seems no one has any use for uncle joey now that he can’t do any favors for them huh?

Bruno didn’t give a rats ass for his “constituents” all he did was divert taxpayers money to his group of cronies, Abruzesse and Stafford were the biggest crooks here, because of his corrupt power. So tell me bruno supporters… what kind of “good” man does this???

ESPADA, MONTSERRAT, AND ALL THE OTHER RATS… SCUMBAGS ALL… If there is justice, you will get your too.

WHY ARE WE DOING BUSINESS WITH CMA CONSULTING? This firm, along with many other consulting firms that have state contracts, should be phased out. The NYS Workforce is quite capable of doing this work….So, lets get moving and just DO IT!!!

“Evil Consultants”, Spare me, lazy state workers are the only reason consultants exist. If we all left you morons would all be complaining about all the work you have to do. We need training, this isn’t my job, i’m not paid enough, i’m sick, why can’t I have a better desk…. Sound familiar all you under worked, over paid state slugs???

After the trial was all oveI found it amazing that the two jurors who spoke basically said what a nice and honorable man Joe Bruno was and how he has done so much for the Capital district. It seemed as thought the jurors had a difficult time deciding his guilt on the two charges. The other charges seemed to be similar in nature, I am surprised that more convictions did not occur. It was almost like they were apologizing for having to convict him.

A comment I have is that people in general and especially ones on the jury seem to forget what job Joe Bruno had.. He was essentially a custodian for the people. He was supposed to look out for the people he represented and help make their lives better. How do people seem to look past the fact that Joe Bruno was receiving huge sums of money that an average person in his district could never make in their entire life. All contributions and payments were from business people that wanted either favorable legislation or contracts from the state.

Have people forgotten to be outraged? I am sure not to many people fly around in private jets for free or get to sell a worthless horse for $80,000, let alone receive millions of dollars in other payments. When are people going to wake up and defend themselves against these types of blatant abuses in government. People should not forget that all elected officials are sworn in and agree to an oath, has this also become an empty promise by many of our elected officials?

It’s funny how all Joe’s supporters are bussiness men or high ranking officials at banks or firms that should tell u that these type of people stick together and look out for one another. Why because their all helping each other make money and one hand washes the other. It’s a shame how greed motivates these people how much money can these guys actually spend. Joe should know better because from what i can tell he knows exactly how the other side looks. These type of people dont care about the lower or middle class they wanna keep the states money circulating throughout the higher classes.Do you think these type of people pay for their behavior not a chance because the legal system is setup to their benefit.They throw money at the government or legal system and walk away with a slap on the wrist.Does it do anything to complain or write about it no becase their the ones who determine who gets a break who dosent this is NYS in a nutshell.That old saying definitely rings true life is not fair!!!!

#37: I understand what Hevesi should be tried for, but where do you get Eliot Spitzer “laundering money”? All Eliot did was sleep with an “escort” aka high-priced hooker AND, he used his own money. Bruno was not only party to the convenient self-serving decisions of the most secretive and corrupt administration in NY history (Pataki), he was the most vocal proponent, until an alledged (staged?) “feud” with Pataki. Make no mistake, people, these guy planned for every contingency as even now, Bruno & his gaggle of lawyers are waiting on the US Supreme Court to, in effect, overrule the “honest services” statute, thereby rendering his measely 2 convictions moot, and a huge waste of taxpayer dollars to pursue. Can you say STRATEGY? Yep, the NY legislature is the best legislature money can buy!